Interesting Random Facts

Who was the First Woman elected to Congress in the United States?

In 1916, before most U.S. women could even vote, Jeannette Rankin was elected to Congress as a representative from Montana. Earlier, in 1914, she had headed the successful campaign to win the vote for Montana women.

One of her first acts in Congress was to vote against U.S. entry into World War I, and she became known as a dedicated pacifist, strongly opposed to all wars.

She was also known for supporting women’s causes.

After her first term Rankin ran for the U.S. Senate but was defeated. She continued to work in the peace movement and was reelected to Congress much later, in 1940.

Again, she voted against war, casting the only vote against U.S. entry into World War II.